A DAY before boarding the minibus that was involved in an accident near Oshivelo, Toini Ndapanda Wilhelm (31) recorded a video singing along to a hymn about going to prepare a place.
Her last Facebook posting says: If He says yes, nobody can say no.
Wilhelm was one of the 15 people who died when the minibus from Windhoek collided head-on with a truck from Omuthiya late on Friday afternoon.
Only one person out of 16 in the minibus survived, while 13 burned to death. Two others were thrown out. One died.
Andreas Kaupitwa (33) and his fiancé Justine Ndehotela (30), who also burned in the minibus, were going to the village to discuss with their families their upcoming wedding in August.
The two were supposed to take another minibus but switched to the fateful one at the last minute.
Wilhelm’s song says: Do not let your hearts be troubled. I am going there to prepare a place for you, and if I do I will come back and take you with me.
Her mother Theopo Johaness, was yesterday overcome by emotions and could not speak but a friend, Mwandina Ndayandjaya and Ndapanda
Wilheim’s uncle Andiri Ya Mbulu, described her as a bubbly, straightforward and a spiritual person.
Some family members said Ndapanda Wilheim acted as if she knew about her impending death in the last two days. Ndayandjaya said she spoke to her before she left to board the minibuses when she came to say goodbye at her house.
“She came around 9h00 to drop a book I had borrowed her. I could sense some restlessness but I just let it go because I did not want her to ask me to go with her. The last time we communicated, she inboxed me saying she was at Tsumeb. The next thing I heard she has died,” cried Ndayandjaya.
Ya Mbulu said she had a smile that says it all.
“She was a good girl and it is a big loss to the family. She last texted me on Friday midday and then after seven in the evening family members called and were asking me what happened to Ndapanda. I called a police officer friend. He told me that she was the sole survivor and that she was at the Tsumeb hospital,” Ya Mbulu said.
He said the police called him again after an hour telling him that he should rush to Oshakati hospital because Ndapanda Wilhelm had been transferred there. When he arrived at the hospital, his worst fear was confirmed.
“It was not Ndapanda but another woman who had Ndapanda’s handbag and phones. It was just a slap in the face. I had so much hope only to be taken to the other end of the hospital to identify her badly charred body,” Ya Mbulu said, his voice cracking.
Kaupitwa’s family said he and Ndehotela were ‘very excited and happy’ when they left that Friday morning. Toivo Andreas, Kaupitwa’s brother, said wedding plans were underway and he had never seen his brother so excited.
“It was more of a mixed feeling. He was excited and also nervous as he was going to see his fiancé’s parents. He had prepared for this trip for so long,” Andreas said.
He also said that as fate would have it, the couple was supposed to travel in a different minibus but it was not full so they transferred to the one that killed them.
“You will not understand some things in life. They were picked up from home by a different minibus. If only they had waited, they would have been alive today. Why did they switch buses?” Andreas cried.
Another victim was Aino Nanghonda, a teacher at Elim Combined School who was described by her family as a golden girl.
According to a family member, Sigo Amunyela, Nanghonda was helpful to the family.
“The police told us to go to Windhoek this morning to assist with identifying the bodies,” Amunyela said.
President Hage Geingob sent his condolences to the bereaved families and urged drivers to be careful on the road.
“Let us look out for each other whether we are drivers, passengers or pedestrians. I appeal to everyone to play their part in ending the carnage on our roads,” Geingob said.
The MVA spokesperson, Mona-Liza Garises, said they will dedicate every effort in fulfilling their mandate to assist the families. She urged the families to contact the nearest MVA Fund Service Centre.
The 32-year-old truck driver has been charged with 15 counts of culpable homicide and is expected to appear in court at Tsumeb.
He further could not say how long it will take but asked members of the public who are missing relatives who travelled to the North on Friday to come forward.
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